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As a fan in his 50’s. The solo careers at times surpassed the group, not always but especially Paul his success with and without Wings is staggering! I firmly believe that nearly every solo Beatles album has some good stuff on it. It is not all great, but hidden gems abound.
Hey Matt, I’m 50 and I can relate to so much of what you’re saying. I grew up during the 1980s and I must confess I was a snob about a lot of the contemporary music of the time. Back then I was listening to 60s and 70s music and got ridiculed and teased for it. One time I went to the mall to get a Beatles album and I asked the young girl who worked there if they had it. She was like, “is this for your mom or dad?” “Um, no, it’s for me”. She was incredulous. “Why are you listening to THAT old music?” LOL What’s funny is a few years later this movie comes out called “Dirty Dancing” with a soundtrack of oldies and so many teenagers singing these old songs. Great music does not have an expiration date.
I listened to a variety of old and new music. The first albums I ever bought was in 1980 when I was 12, the red and blue albums by the Beatles, the cars, best of Blondie, and tattoo you by the Rolling Stones. At that time, the Rolling Stones were considered a current group
George - All Things Must Pass (the one I wish they would have completed) John- Cold Turkey or John Sinclair RIngo- Photograph or It Don't Come Easy Paul- Uncle Albert (which I thought was the Beatles when I was a kid) Songs they gave away- World without Love
I think the key word Matt, 'meaningful'. I've followed music for 60 years and tastes have been pretty widespread, but I'm still rooted in the period between '62 and '76. They still bring the 'tingle' and the memories. Seeing Steely Dan all those years later in 2009 was still magical.
Instant Karma with better production and not so shapeless after George and Paul helped turn it into a real song would be cool. As it is, a terrible track.
This wasn't an easy assignment Matt! I chose songs I loved and was curious as to how the Beatles could make it sound. I think I misunderstood the wildcard choice. John - Instant Karma! Paul - Maybe I'm Amazed George - I'd Have You Anytime Ringo - It Don't Come Easy In these songs I was looking for harmony, musicality and beat. It was important that the songs 'spoke to me'.. Wildcard - Fat Bottomed Girls by Queen It's just a fun song and I think of John and Paul laughing through it.
Gimme some Truth (John) + No Words (Paul) + Beware of Darkness (George) + Photograph (Ringo) + Apple Scruffs (Wildcard) I answered the survey on the link, but thought I might share my choices here. Gimme some Truth - Where George does the solo No Words - A song by Paul that sounds like George's Beware of Darkness - George's wisdom Photograph - By Ringo and George Apple Scruffs - George invited the fans in to hear the track when it was done. George being George. In case you didn't notice, yeah I'm a George fan.
@@rdlewis3616 I was kind of addicted to the acoustic version (a demo released in 2000). Probably one of the top 5 tracks I listened to the most throughout my life. So powerful!
@@patrickgorman3330 Agree! Though I think Paul would've tried to slip his piano in and the song might have lost some of its honesty. Just kidding (or maybe not) :p
Hey Matt- I'm a boomer (born in 1954) and I find your videos so interesting and informative. I think expanding your reviews to other decades would be fine but I feel like there are still so many 1960's bands you've yet to do. Still waiting and hoping for your take on THE BUCKINGHAMS. Thanks for all the great music and history you've presented already and looking forward to more.
John- Oh Yoko, Paul- Another Day, George- All Things Must Pass, Ringo- Photograph, Wild Card Song- Got My Mojo Working by Muddy Waters because it has a great beat and call and response backing vocals that they would make sound wild. "Oh Yoko" would have been a massive hit if the Beatles had recorded it.
Oh Yoko was great tune that John wrote back in 1968 in India, it would be funny to hear Paul & George singing Oh Yoko -I can see their eyes rolling on this one, or George calling in sick on the day its recorded in the studio (LOL)
This exercise is pretty interesting and I've done myself (with some friends) quite a few times."Maybe I'm Amazed" is the most Beatlenesque song of all the solo Beatles songs. So that would be my Macca pick. "All Thing Must Pass" was played and recorded by The Beatles, so we know how great it would sound if it were finished. Ringo's "Don't Come Easy" would be my Ringo pick and I would like to hear what wacky or beautiful bass lines Macca would play on Lennon's "Isolation". Wildcard: "Jealous Guy"
From John: Oh, My Love From Paul: Junk From George: Isn't It A Pity? Ringo: I'm The Greatest Additionally, I will never understand why The Beatles didn't make more than a demo of Bad to Me. It's a gorgeous song.
Totally agree about Junk. It's a beautiful melody with throwaway lyrics which I think Lennon would have sharpened up. Plus you'd have them harmonizing instead of Linda.
It's honestly difficult to pick songs that I can't unhear as solo works by the four. Each released material that was uniquely themselves. I'm sure I'll be changing my mind as I write this. For Ringo - maybe No, No, No Song? Yes, it's weird and lightweight, but that style fits well into what Ringo did with The Beatles. George - I'd like to have heard a finished version of All Things Must Pass. Paul - Paul is so distinct. Jet, perhaps? John - Really hard, this one. Maybe the party-ish atmosphere of Give Peace A Chance. Echoing the sentiment of All You Need Is Love. Like you, Matt, I also grew up listening to music that came before. I was born in '61, and have a lot of strong memories of watching the latest music on Sunday nights with Ed Sullivan. Add to that, my weekly Monkees addiction, the Beatles' Saturday morning cartoon plus annual re-showings of Help!. From a very early age, I can remember my mum playing Big Band, Rosemary Clooney, Patti Page, even Shirley Temple. Entering high school at 12, I also got a job in a local night club (I had a full beard so looked older) and was treated to live bands playing every style you can imagine from the '50s to the contemporary. I saw American Graffiti when it came out and the introduction to another huge field of music opened my eyes even wider. While my friends at school were listening to the wet noodle schmaltz of the mid-70s, then the scourge of Disco, I was deeply immersed in far older music. I saw BB King for the first time at 15. Oddly, when Punk and New Wave first hit me in the late '70s, I loved it all and the wave of creativity that immediately followed was a breath of fresh air from the stiff studio stuff that preceded it. By the time the mid-80s came around, and the big labels took control of the industry, I began to lose interest in almost all modern music. Very few bands grabbed my attention after that. An observation I've made about the '70s music that I loved the most - nearly every one of my favourites had their beginnings in '60s bands.
All Things Must Pass, Across The Universe (never a proper group effort), Remember (reminds me of Hey Bulldog), It Don't Come Easy, Band on the Run or perhaps better Back Seat of My Car.
For me Matt my 4 Solo Beatle songs that I wish the Beatles would have recorded as a group effort would be 1. John: Give Peace a Chance (I would have Loved to have heard and seen the other Beatles play and sing along with John on this one, especially Paul) 2. Paul: Maybe Im Amazed (Im sure that with the other Beatles involved along with George Martin producing this song could have been spectacular!) 3. George: All Things Must Pass ( if only The Beatles could have finished this song all the way through with their fantastic harmonies it would have been a masterpiece!) 4. Ringo: It Dont Come Easy (As good as this song is I cant help but hear John, Paul and George singing back up vocals on this great song) 5. Wildcard pick: Badge (from Cream, it would have been interesting to hear what a Beatles version of this song would sound like) anyways I'll get on that survey 👍-Cheers Matt 🍺 (I would have Loved to have been at one of your party's Matt LOL!!!)
This is a weird one, but I would have loved to hear George Harrison’s “Some Place Else” played by the Beatles. Strictly 70’s “All Things…” George; “Band on the run” Paul; Ringo “Photograph”; “instant karma” Lennon. That would be my wishlist. Good video! Thanks for the update.
John's "Remember" is very Beatlesque, especially in the bridge that's like the chorus. (The "Don't you worry" bit.) It would be cool to hear Paul locking in with Ringo and tightening up the groove, and to hear what George would've added on guitar. Paul: Maybe I'm Amazed, George: All Things Must Pass, Ringo: It Don't Come Easy.
That’s EXACTLY the four songs I was thinking. We almost had All Things Must Pass. I also would like to hear J, P, and G backing Ringo on Goodnight Vienna, written by John. I love that song!
Shame we’re limited to the 70s because “Woman,” came to mind as did some collaborative songs. John: “Remember” Paul: “Band On The Run” George: “What Is Life” Ringo: “It Don’t Come Easy” Cover: Spider-Man theme song
Yeah, I was being 'good' and put "Coming Up" for the wildcard, although "Watching The Wheels" is another favorite of mine that would've been just past the cutoff too.
@@grantwilletts5669 Lennon's 1980 Woman was the first one I thought of too. But, I'd love to hear a band arrangement of Paul McCartney's "Woman". That would have been fantastic if they'd put that on Revolver instead of giving it to Peter and Gordon.
For me, I'd have to go with: John: Old Dirt Road George: The Ballad of Frankie Crisp Paul: Back Seat of My Car Ringo: Photograph Wild card: Come and Get It by Badfinger (I know, that's pretty cheap and easy, but would have been a great Abbey Road song if the other 3 took it on).
Paul's Another Day George's What Is Life? Ringo's Photograph John's Cold Turkey Wildcard: Leon Russell's Hummingbird with Paul on lead vocal. Great video!
Good list. I considered all of these but I was uncertain about the parameters of the question - i.e., do we choose songs which Our Heroes could have recorded after Let It Be or any other later compositions? My thinking is that songs such as George's "This Song" or Paul's "Band On The Run" simply wouldn't have been written if The Beatles had remained together so my own focus tends towards those songs which were already possible selections for the next Beatles album. Had George ever offered "What Is Life" to the band? (I'm certain it would have been a number one all over the world for The Beatles but did he compose it before the split? Photograph was certainly much later.)
Hi Matt, I was born in '67 and became a fan of the individual Beatles in '73 . I listened to a lot of am radio and I would buy the singles that I liked, John, Paul, and Ringo ( sorry George didn't hear any solo stuff till '76) and my sister got me an 8track of the Beatles 67-70. Should be an interesting video, take care.
I've amassed a follow-up album to Abbey Road that might have been released sometime in late 1970 or early 1971. The rules were to have been either written or recorded prior to 1971. McCartney's album Ram was recorded in late 1970, as well as Ringo's song. Jealous Guy was around in pretty much completed form except for different lyrics since the White album days from India. Another Day was also around since the late Beatle period. Giving minimum or no break between songs, with each flowing immediately from the previous, it could have sounded like this. Side 1 1 Instant Karma (John) 2 Every Night (Paul) 3 It don't come easy (Ringo) 4 Let it Down (George) 5 Jealous Guy (John) 6 Beware of Darkness (George) 7 Maybe I'm Amazed (Paul) Side 2 1 All Things Must Pass (George) 2 Isolation (John) 3 What is Life (George) 4 Another Day (Paul) 5 Well Well Well (John) 6 Too Many People (Paul) 7 Isn't it a Pity (George) I could easily have amassed another double album here, and many great songs didn't make the cut. Most might ask why My Sweet Lord wasn't included? I don't think the other Beatles would have accepted that song, being either intentional or not, lifted from another hit song. I also included some edgier songs, rather than all soft ballads. A case for Run of the Mill or The Act of Dying instead of What is Life could be made. I like the latter, but the production and arrangement sounds too Spector wall of sound pop with dancing girls on platforms. The melody sounds Beatles, but the arrangement just doesn't in my opinion, or perhaps more from half a decade earlier? I would say this would easily have been be their best album up to that point.
You've motivated me to take the time to respond! I concur wholeheartedly with your list. I owned and memorized each of the first solo albums that came out, except for Ringo's. I felt that each of the albums would have been even better with the tempering influences of the others. The songs you've mentioned in particular would have been enhanced. Thanks for your insights
Matt - I really appreciated your perspective on "older" and new music. I'm cut from a similar cloth. Though I was born in 1980, my favorite music is from the 50s, 60's & 70s. And I'm frustrated with most of what passes as popular music in the 21st century. I also agree that people should listen to the music they love most - it shouldn't matter when it was released. Thank you for shining a light on all the great music from decades ago. Love your channel!
I appreciate honesty reviews and critiques. I do not understand why people think it morally wrong to not 'love' everything by a favourite artist. American culture seems to be very much aligned with this tendency. For me true fans, acknowledge the great, the good, the bad and the terrible. I can't think of a single artist (at least not in pop/rock) whose catalogue contains at least two or three duds. Matt is one of my favourite critics/music historian because he is open and honest. I am fortunate in that I understand where he is coming from. Why others can not I do not understand? As he says there is great new music out there today but it is not in the mainstream. Or if it is it's a rarity. Thanks goodness for youtube. I also relate to his common sense approach. i.e. not buying ten different versions of the same album based on the color of the vinyl or fluffy dice etc... So thank you Matt. Please keep on posting for as long as you can. Your channel is tops. P.S, For the Macca fans... Paul McCartney’s incredible creative output in the decade after he left The Beatles will come into focus in Man on the Run (working title), a documentary to be directed by Oscar and Grammy winner Morgan Neville. True!. As for the list. This is tricky. For me it would have to imply the song would be better played by The Beatles. 1. Paul's Uncle Albert... 2. John's Give Peace a Chance 3. George's All Things Must Pass (especially after Paul did a ripping job with it at Concert for George) 4. Ringo's Sweet Sixteen (even if Paul wrote it) Waffler over and out.
Gimme Some Truth, Jealous Guy, Maybe I'm Amazed, Back Seat of my Car, Another Day, Junk, All Things Must Pass... in some alternative universe there's an additional Beatles album which is even better than Abbey Road if that's even possible. Looking forward to see further videos on this topic - well done as usual.
Imagine, All Things Must Pass, Maybe I'm Amazed and It Don't Come Easy. I would also have loved to hear the band cover the Goffin/King song: "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow". Lewisohn's book talks about how this was the first song they covered that caused the girls to scream at the Cavern Club (John on lead). A second wild card would be, "Woman" (The Peter & Gordon one). McCartney singing lead on that one would have been an incredible addition to Revolver.
@@resslerartstudios Look At Me is a great idea for a full band arrangement. I'd always thought of that one as similar to Julia. But, Look At Me does have potential to add the other three.
@@nathananthony7517 Thank you the quick reply, I am wondering if you happen to be a songwriter or musician in any capacity? I am, and have been listening to the Beatles in and at so many different levels as far back as 8 years old. Your understanding of how different people can be and what one person may hate, another may love, boils down to respect. With that said, I enjoy your channel and look forward to other topics you may bring up. Peter Jackson's Get Back was a game changer for me, and I hope The Beatles camp allow him or have him, show us the other 48 hours. One more thing; If Get Back is what they did prior to recording Abbey Road, what happened in the studio after that we can only imagine, in regards to the work ethic of those four. The closest Ive come to what happened the studio after January 1969 wouldbe Geoffrey Emerrick's book -Here There and Everywhere, and Ken Womacks book "Solid State" Thanks again Nathan!
@@thetravelingrounders7924 Yep I'm an amateur musician and writer. I see you are a musician as well. You appear to be more accomplished than me though! Emerick's book is probably the best book I've read about the Beatles. So entertaining and a first person account. I'm so glad he wrote that book just before he passed away.
Nathan, you might enjoy reading "Solid State" by Ken Womack. It talks about how much the Beatles loved the transition to the solid state console; in particular the TG12345. Most of Abbey Road was recorded with this unit.
John: #9 Dream, Paul: Magnito…, George: Living In The Material World (the song - yes I know Ringo is on it - get J & P too), Ringo: You and Me (Babe). Wildcard: Beautiful Girl (George). Keep up the great work. Much appreciated!
Hello, Bob. I will definitely be doing the Kinks. They are one of the more complex bands that will take multiple videos. I have 2 other bands that also require multi parts to tell the story and those are being worked on for 2023. The Kinks should follow so stay tuned!
Hey Matt... I agree with you about the general quality of some of the older bands that still tour. There are a few 70's/80's band exceptions that I've seen... Most recently the Doobie Brothers. But this is a whole 'nother topic to discuss... 🙂
JOHN: Old Dirt Road PAUL: Every Night GEORGE: Run of the Mill (or Awaiting on You All) RINGO: It Don't Come Easy WILDCARD: BEautiful Girl (again by George. Couldn't think of any outside projects at the moment but I think "Beautiful Girl" would have made a great Beatles song).
I think it would be interesting to see what songs John and Paul had started working on and see what became of them. I think that Paul was on fire in 1969 and the proposed “ new album” 4 songs each would not have been enough for George let alone Paul. Once George come back to the Get Back project he comes in with “ here is a song I was working on last night” almost everyday.But his strongest songs he stops the band from doing. “ I don’t want any of my songs played live. They are more acoustic.”
Matt, I love that "Pop Goes the 60s" is a channel specifically focused on 60s music. (Born in 1953, I grew up listening to 60s music, and it remains my favorite music genre to this day.) I'm happy to see that so many younger people seem to enjoy it as well. I also like that you often highlight some of the lesser-known 60s bands. (But, the Charlatans?? That's pretty obscure... LOL) However, if you want to expand your focus a bit, I can see perhaps highlighting some of the "classic" 70s music that was strongly influenced by the 60s sound -- Electric Light Orchestra, Badfinger, Tom Petty, Big Star, Cheap Trick, Billy Joel, Heart, etc.? Another suggestion... How about an episode highlighting some of best, little-known garage bands (or tracks) of the 60s -- the Rationals, the Dovers, Zakery Thaks, the Golliwogs, the Standells, the Blue Things, Music Machine, etc. These would be bands that wouldn't warrant a whole episode, but highlighting the best track(s) of each band would be a killer episode, IMHO.
Thanks for the feedback, Amanda. Some of the 60s bands you mention will get full episodes dedicated to them. They may be shorter episodes but I am a huge fan of the Blue Things and Standells. The Zakery Thaks are also very good. I have some 1970s faves that I would probably do first only because my passion for them would render a competent video. Heart is one of them. I used to be big into Badfinger and now prefer the mighty Big Star.
@@popgoesthe60s52 I always think of how "the oldies" radio station when I was growing up in the '80s essentially ran from "Rock Around the Clock" to "American Pie" for their range. Certainly seems reasonable to me ;p Alternately, start a second channel "Rock Goes the 70s" if people get too bent on the timelines? :D
Hi Matt. The Beatle trolls can tell you their solo careers were great. They were not (IMHO). Yes a few highlights, but overall the separation showed their weaknesses and how they needed each other to capture the magic. Look forward to everything coming. I'll do the survey as well!
it's a young man's game. Once they were all domesticated and in their 30's, there was no edge or risk. Zep broke up in 1980. Your fav Pagey song post 1980? Your fav Who track on last three LPs?
I don’t know. I think George Harrison’s Cloud 9 was great. So was McCartney’s Flaming Pie was one of my favorite albums from the 90s. It was McCartney’s last great album in my opinion.
Who are the trolls? I was 7 years old in 1968 when I became a Beatles fan. After they split, I continued to be a fan of their solo work. Did I think their music as solo artist was as good as their music was as when they were together? Yes and no. People tend to ignore what John Paul George and Ringo did in the 1970s, but they put out some great music. Yes, I said the word great. I often find myself wanting to listen to a Wings album or a George Harrison album rather than a Beatles album. You have to understand that none of them wanted to sound like the Beatles.
@@TheSchemel First - as a solo artist, they were responsible for the whole LP. That didnt happen with the Beatles. I think McCartney was the first clink in the amour when his solo came out. He didnt have the stockpile George did. If you look at 62-69, it is a compressed and urgent time. I lost interest in George when HE lost interest in George and got all gooney. No focus or hunger or competition.
@@TheSchemel respectfully I don't think their solo careers add up to much. John had very little output (took 5 years off and split Double with Yoko). Most of his work is dark and dreary. Paul was prolific, but a lot of it is sugary and misses Johns edge and editing. George has one great album, then bits and pieces. Ringo had two albums. Blues & Ringo. Together they were unstoppable, but they needed each other. The hard, the commercial, the spiritual, & the fun. It was glaringly missing separately. Of course you can think differently.
Hi Matt, thanks for the upload. On your point at the end; I personally would love to hear what you think of music nowadays. But if it doesn't suit the brand, may it be worth starting a second channel for more broader music journalism? Just a thought, keep up the good work!
Just using songs that came out a year or so after they broke up, it would be: Maybe I'm Amazed Well, Well, Well All Things Must Pass Back Off Boogaloo Another Day
A couple initial thoughts: I will limit myself to 1970-1971. There are SO many McCartney songs with Linda providing backup that all I can think of is: wouldn’t this be better if John and George were singing.
I had a very similar story to what you were describing. I'm 54 and I was listening to 60s and 70s music back in the 80s and often getting mocked for it. But as I always try to explain, if you were living in the early 80s, that was pretty much the bulk of rock music history at the time. In any case, 80s music had a rather vacuous quality to it right from the beginning. Not all bad, of course, but it was the beginning of the roots of rock and roll being extracted. Thus, early Gen X had precious little choice but to cleave to Boomer culture. And listening to The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Cream, Jimi Hendrix, etc. was like a rite of passage for many. What's funny to me is that it was less than 20 years old back then, but people called it "old music". Now it's 50+ and younger people are rediscovering it and realizing how timeless it is.
Would love to hear about current music you enjoy because I would assume it has that classical twist, meaningful lyrics, and quality production similar to your 60s taste- which I think I would also enjoy! Additionally, can't wait to hear about the beach boys, especially from a critical eye, even more so if you dive into their 70s lore of never released albums. As always, thanks for everything you do
The first one that comes to mind would be John's "Grow Old Along with Me". (Technically a '70s demo) It would have been very interesting to hear what McCartney could have added to this very underrated ballad.
My Sweet Lord, Jealous Guy, Let Me Roll It, It Don't Come Easy, and the bonus track is Maybe I'm Amazed. I feel like there was another Harrison song that I really love more from his early albums, but for the life of me I cannot remember.
my favorite solo song by JL is # 9 Dream, and i read that he wanted George to play guitar on it, but George wasn't available. and my favorite solo song by PMc is "Wanderlust," and Paul asked George to play on it, and George agreed, but for some reason it didn't happen. odd coincidence.
I didn't know either of these factoids. Thank you. (P.S. "#9 Dream" is one of my favourite post-split tracks so I'm not convinced that it would have been even better if all of the Fabs had contributed to it. Likewise, George's "Be Here Now" )
A fun exercise my Beatles buddies and I get into is the question about what if the White Album was a single disk...Can you image.....one could argue the greatest hard rock album of all time...Thanks Matt. Love your work...
John - #9 Dream Paul - Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey (as a kid I thought this was a Beatles song already) George - What is Life Ringo - It Don’t Come Easy Wild Card - Band on the Run A side note too. I see a lot saying Maybe I’m Amazed. That struck me right away to say too, then it hit me. It wouldn’t sound much different. It’s really just Paul on the piano. And aside from some backing vocals and a great guitar solo from George, it would sound just like Paul anyway. Hope that made sense.
I agree about the live shows. I have seen everyone I want to see who is still alive, and sadly I missed many bands I wish I had seen live back in the day.
Hi Matt. Love the channel! I would love to hear more about the Red Rose Speedway double album, it has always fascinated me. As for bands outside the Beatles, I would love to hear the story of Grand Funk Railroad. Their first album came out in 1967 I believe, and they lasted about 10 years. I know there was a big fallout between their original manager, Terry Knight, and the band, and I have also never been clear on the falling out between Mark and Don, and why both of them claim they have invited the other back into the band, but both also claim the other refuses the offer. Maybe you could get to the bottom of it 🙂. And there was a lot of great music along the way. I think it would make a great show!
John: Mind Games Paul: Maybe I'm Amazed George: All Things Must Pass Ringo: Photograph (these are probably Beatle-sounding enough to become good records by the band itself) wildcard: any Jagger/Richards song, specifically Wild Horses: since the Stones had played Beatles' stuff earlier, it would be interesting if the Beatles would now try to beatlify some of the Stones' material
For McCartney I've put in the survey "Maybe I'm amazed" because it really needs a full band effort, but the real one is - come to think of it - Backseat of my car, which is to me an unfinished song with melodies to die for.
My suggestion is, and it sounds like you may be doing it, doing videos on artists that started in the 60s but were better known in the 70s. One example is Three Dog Night. They released their first album in 1968, but they’re known for their 70s hits like “Never Been to Spain” and “Joy to the World”. I can tell you that they have a rather colorful story, much like some of the bands you’ve covered on this channel. There are other artists that fit this criteria, and would be a good segue to discuss 70s artists. As for solo Beatles songs that could be a Beatles song, the only one I can think of is “Eat At Home” from Paul McCartney’s album Ram. It already sounds Beatlish, and it would be interesting to see what contributions the other Beatles would make to it.
I’m fine with many solo hits as they are, but I think Lennon could have helped a lot with lyrics on Paul’s Junior’s Farm; for George: Woman Don’t You Cry for Me (great riff but it just needs a little Beatle magic to elevate it); for John: Nobody Loves You When you’re Down & Out; for Ringo: Oh My My, wild card: Getting Closer-great tune, but again the lyrics really limit its appeal, if Lennon had contributed some edits, it would have been a great song!
Hello Matt, I love 'Pop goes the 60's!'. It's my fave channel on You tube. Am a major Beatles nut but enjoy your other band stories as well. (But secretly can't wait for the next Beatles vid!) PS: I too had never heard of The Charlatans. (But I knew of a British band from the 90's with the same name). Cheers from NZ.
I have to add a bit more to this fascinating speculation. I first commented and then read other 's thoughts and had many of the same choices- What Is Life?, Isn't It Pity?, Gimme Some Truth, Mind Games and Photograph and It Don't Come Easy which are both Starkey/Harrison written which is already half of the group. I must add to my other comment these Paul melodic gems- I'm Carrying(London Town) and Warm and Beautful(Speed of Sound). These 2 lovely unique tunes would've been amazingly sung with a 3 part harmony a la Because/This Boy/Yes It Is. George once commented how much he loved Im Carrying. Maybe John would've strengthened the lyric as they both always improved each other's songs. Other thoughts were Starting Over and Give Me Love. Just watched your awesome interview with Felix C. of the Rascals- thanks Matt!
All Things Must Pass (when they did record it, Paul's harmonies were gorgeous). Let Me Roll It (Paul said he wrote it in a John style). Instant Karma (George, Paul, and Ringo could have added a bit to that great song). I don't know Ringo's oeuvre enough to make a selection. My 5th is either Isn't it a Pity, by George, or Coming Up, by Paul (John said he loved that one)
Probably the best way of choosing such solo songs is to pick songs that somehow didn't seem to reach their full potential. Many times, the individual Beatles brought incomplete songs to the band, and they collectively worked out the most effective way of performing the song. For example, I have always loved John's "Steel and Glass," but a little more than halfway through, it seems to "flatten out", and not go anywhere further, just repeating the same mood. I would love to hear how all four would have worked it out to be a more satisfying song.
Next survey should which album would have made a good Beatles album. I would of loved to hear what the album Band On The Run would have sounded like if the Beatles recorded it. My cousin often does mistake that as a Beatles album. He always says I think this is my favorite Beatles album. I have to correct him and say it's a Paul McCartney album. As for my songs. John: Give Peace a Chance Paul: Band On The Run George: All Things Must Pass Ringo: It Don't Come Easy Cover: American Girl ( That was originally a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song from 1977 I believe)
It is tricky, especially for Paul and John as they have different styles post-Beatles. Though, I will try my best to come up with some choices; John - How Do You Sleep - I see this as like almost a post-Glass Onion number Paul - Maybe I'm Amazed - This is kind of a Let It Be number George - Isn't It A Pity - Great George ballad number Ringo - Back Off Boogaloo - I love that wee rock 'n' roll number
Hey Matt. Greetings from France. I love your videos and I really recognize myself in your relationship to 60s music re current one. I filled in the survey, I could not help add justifications, I hope that won't ruin it. My take is that it would be too easy to name songs from 70-71 albums. Many songs were even created or rehearsed during Beatles time (as we could check in Get Back or Anthology). So I stuck to that rule. For Ringo, it's even tricky for his 73/74 albums where the 3 others are around (even John has sometimes 2 Beatles to back him on Imagine). Well well well, I can't help sharing here my choice : Dream 9, Magneto and Titanium Man, Blow Away and... Nobody Told for Ringo (justified, it was meant for him, yeah ok it's written in 1980, come oooon) and the wild choice, hats off to George : Got my mind set on you ! A recognition (and such a paradox) that Cloud 9 was probably the beatlest solo album of all ... Close your eyes, think of these 5, the energy, the harmony, the improvement of lyrics, Ringo's unique drumming... Cheers
I would love a Beatles post-punk/new wave album in 1980. I'm particularly fond of all their work during that period (McCartney II was my gateway drug into new wave and electronica) and it'd be interesting how their ideas would jell if they reunited in 1980. Some ideas: Woman--a stripped down and post-punk version, a little truer to the heart of the original demo Blue Sway--George and Paul and John taking turns on guitar over the almost ambient and lush backdrop Unconsciousness Rules--John might feel compelled to reinject George with more rock'n'roll... which had gone a lil soggy. Nobody Told Me--Ringo mostly being reactionary (Wrack My Brain too) rounds things off nicely.
John: #9 Dream Paul: Coming Up (Wings recorded in December of 1979---so, still 70s) George: Blow Away Ringo: Photograph Wild card: Burning Love (Elvis)
Avoided early solo stuff, thought I'd pick some later seventies things. Out the blue by John, soft hearted Hanna by George, I'm the greatest by Ringo(almost a Beatles track already), letting go by Paul and the fifth... Far East man by George
These are mine: 1. John - Gimme Some Truth (Paul helped on this one when they were Beatles) 2. Paul - The Back Seat of my Car (Paul’s version is excellent though) 3. George - All Things Must Pass (I think this one can be blended with what they already put to tape) 4. Ringo - I’m the Greatest
Two bands I would love to see you examine are Move and Fairport Convention. Both were stacked with excellent musicians, both groups did interesting music, took risks. Neither had a big commercial breakthrough, but both of these bands did spawn legacy acts that continued for years, namely Ian Matthews, Richard Thompson, the Electric Light Orchestra. Hey, it's not as if you owe me anything! All your work on the Beatles, plus Nazz; can't thank you enough, really. But I am greedy enough to want more.
The problem with new bands is if you've been around a while is you can pretty quickly hear who influenced them. I know this is not uncommon but Rock etc has been around a while now and it's pretty hard to be all that original as bands could be in the 1960's up to the mid 70's.
I just wanna hear all four lads party together on Ringo’s GOODNIGHT VIENNA. written by John. Billy Preston and John are on the record, so we’re halfway there. I think they’d have so much fun! Like on Birthday
Jealous Guy (Imagine George playing some slide on this),Wah Wah (Oh what this could be with John and Paul giving a little input), Nineteen Hundred and Eighty Five (withBilly Preston), Hi, Hi, Hi, and Photograph. I'd like it, anyway!
George - Isn't It A Pity. Great song but always wondering that adding Paul and Johns voice and instruments would have made it even better. John - Nobody Told Me - Again, a really good song, but I would have loved to hear a melodic Paul bassline and George adding some slide guitar and backup vocals Ringo - Goodnight Vienna - The other three would have really filled this out musically and vocally Paul - Mrs. Vandebilt - Good song but I though it was a little hollow sounding. Georges fills and Johns rhythm and vocals would have added much Bonus - I'm Not In Love (10 cc) - Legendary song. But how would it sound with the Beatles doing it and doing the vocals?
OK, I am going to choose songs that were released after 1971, because some of their songs off of their first couple of solo albums either were originally written when they were still together or simply just sound like Beatles song, such asthe song Imagine. John: Mind Games Paul: Call Me Back Again George: The Answers At The End Ringo: You and Me Babe Bonus: Old Siam Sir
Maybe I'm Amazed, It Don't Come Easy, Photograph, #9 Dream, Back Seat of my Car, Love, Jealous Guy, Bluebird, and back track on an album, God and My Sweet Lord. Oh my Lord!
